Fire kills 17 at Delhi hotel
Police say at least 17 lives were lost after a fire ripped through a central Delhi budget hotel. Fire broke out at Arpit Palace Hotel and was discovered early in the morning as most guests slept.
Many injured were taken to three hospitals and the number of dead could still rise.
Dozens of fire fighters helped fight the blaze and video showed people jumping from the fourth floor to escape the flames.
The death toll includes a child and most deaths were reportedly caused by smoke inhalation, authorities said.
Wooden panelling throughout hotel corridors aided the fast moving blaze and cut off the only escape route from guestrooms, authorities said.
"The entire hotel has wood panelling, this shows carelessness on the part of the owner," said a ‘saddened’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Interior minister Satyendra Jain also criticized how the hotel was built up to six floors high when there is a maximum limit on all buildings of just four floors in central Delhi.
A judicial investigation is under way and charges against hotel management have been filed.
An official from the fire department says spent fire extinguishers were found, which suggests some staff members or guests used them to douse the flames in an effort to escape.
The cause of the fire is still being probed but latest media reports suggest a short circuit in the wiring made have started the blaze.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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